Island Nations Fight for Survival Amidst Climate Crisis

The forthcoming legal opinion, though not legally binding, could influence future efforts to hold major contributors to climate change accountable. It may also help secure necessary funding and action for small island nations to adapt to or survive the effects of climate change.

This initiative follows years of disappointment for Pacific nations, who have witnessed the disappearance of their homelands. In Tuvalu, where the average elevation is only a few meters, over a third of the population has sought climate migration visas to Australia. Projections indicate that a significant portion of the country could be submerged by the end of the century. In Nauru, the government has begun selling passports to generate revenue for potential relocation efforts.

Vanuatu's minister for climate change has expressed concern that international agreements are not progressing quickly enough and are failing to meet the requirements outlined by scientific data. Vanuatu has already sought opinions from other international courts and is advocating for the recognition of ecocide as a crime under the International Criminal Court.

For children in Vanuatu, climate change is a tangible reality, impacting their education. At a school on Efate Island, a teacher has spent a significant amount of time teaching students in temporary tents due to the aftermath of cyclones and earthquakes. Overcrowding, poor conditions, and the need to dismantle the tents during storms disrupt the children's education.

In rural areas, extreme weather events threaten food security. On Nguna Island, farmers have seen cyclones destroy their crops, leading to months of food scarcity. With support from organizations, farmers are now storing preserved food, but this solution is not available to all communities. Over seventy percent of Vanuatu's population relies on small-scale farming.

A rainwater harvesting initiative designed to improve water access at cyclone evacuation centers was defunded in 2025. The materials had already been delivered, but the project was stopped. These recurring disasters are straining communities.

While climate change is a major factor, other elements contribute to environmental decline. Coastal development, tectonic activity, volcanic eruptions, deforestation, and pollution also play a role. Vanuatu's environment is inherently fragile due to its young age, limited topsoil, and frequent natural disasters.

The damage extends beyond homes, gardens, and reefs, affecting even sacred places. On the island of Pele, a village chief observes waves eroding his family's graves. Saltwater intrusion has contaminated the community's water source, and the village is considering relocation, which would mean abandoning the land their ancestors cultivated.